Category: GPS Asset Tracking

Innovational Uses For Telematics Solutions

Posted on by Oak & Bluebird
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Best Uses For Telematics In Modern Businesses

Telematics is wireless communication between devices.

But in terms of auto insurance, it can mean so much more. Drivers with telematic features might be eligible for significant discounts on auto insurance, which is an exciting advancement considering the concept of telematics was born more than a decade ago.

Converting driving information to a premium is easier than ever with today's technology. Insurers gather data from a small in-car tracking device that records miles are driven, acceleration, braking, turns, speed and time of day. Your premium depends on this data, which means if you're a careful driver, you can save big bucks.

Monitoring & Managing Speed 

Managing drivers by using optimization software is a simple means to gain efficient operation of the asset.

"If a driver can no longer break top speeds or jackrabbit start, your repair and maintenance costs go down. It's also essential to help drive and track costs for employees in the field to a job. Pairing Derive optimization with our telematics solution to ensure the speed is capped and reviewing fuel metrics of before and after," said Charlie Mahoney, business development at Derive Systems.

A recalibration is a valuable tool most fleet professionals are not familiar with.

"Think about your smartphone: just as you make adjustments for the way you utilize your phone, your vehicle is no different. Setting fleet-specific thresholds essentially drive the change from the vehicle - not the driver. This means less progressive disciplinary events and helps ensure compliance regardless of your driver turnover," Mahoney added.

Assisting with Industry Specific Needs

It's often said, but for a good reason - not all fleets are the same, even within the same vocation or industry. Being able to monitor needs specific to your industry is invaluable.

"In the instance of waste, capturing the status of bins - whether they're locked, overflowing, etc., is one solution," said Adam Kahn, president of Netradyne. "Also, tracking where trucks are is important, so fleets can keep customers informed."

Fleet Managers have been using telematics to look at trends and make more informed decisions to optimize their fleet.

"Telematics solutions can be used to spot training opportunities for operators. We had a fleet that saw an outlier in the way one truck's crane was used. With further investigation, it was found an operator wasn't using his crane remote efficiently, and they were able to correct this, resulting in easier use for the operator," said Adam Oppermann, product manager for Stellar Industries Inc.

Tracking Weather Conditions 

Another innovative use of a video intelligence solution is using the cameras to get a glance at real-time weather conditions on the road.

"For example, if a driver is out in severe weather, a manager can hit the 'test camera' button on the back end of the system to visually check on the weather they're dealing with, where they may be stuck, etc.," said Jim Angel, vice president of Video Intelligence Solutions for Trimble Transportation.

Ensuring Solo Driver Safety

Truck fleet drivers often work solo and ensuring their safety can be more difficult.

"Trimble's Out-of-Truck notification uses geofencing and vehicle GPS location data to keep workers safe when working alone. When a remote worker arrives at a field site and leaves the truck, a timer starts, and if they don't check back in at the truck before the timer goes off, a loud siren goes off on the vehicle. If needed, the system also sends a distress message through the wireless network to the safety manager, who can then use the vehicle's location to provide detail to additional resources, such as an area manager or emergency response services," said Angel of Trimble Transportation.

A video is a great tool for new drivers.

"After drivers have their training with a trainer in the cab, the video serves as an additional step for training. It is an "onboard coach" for drivers, allowing for real-time communication and collaboration between the driver and fleet manager during the workday," said Kahn of Netradyne.

 

Beyond Traditional Geofencing

Geofencing is a virtual fence that can be created around a physical location, such as a city's border or even a job site.

"Fleet managers who set these up can receive alerts when vehicles or assets cross the invisible geofence border. Some businesses have set up geofences around toll roads, so the back office always knows when a company vehicle pays a toll and can begin the reporting and processing steps immediately. This helps save the business time tracking down the tolls drivers pay and ensure that the business expense is accounted for," said Kevin Aries, head of global product success for Verizon Connect.

Keeping Track of Equipment

Bluetooth-enabled smart sensors can be paired with smart IoT devices to keep track of high-value service vehicles, equipment, and tools throughout a Jobsite or yard.

"Gone are the headaches associated with manual equipment tracking and a difficult recovery process that involves costly law enforcement, legal assistance, and claims professionals. CalAmp iOn Tag service, for example, sends real-time alerts to drivers if a piece of equipment was left behind. This provides an enterprise-wide view of drivers, service vehicles, and related assets. Operations managers can reduce time spent retrieving assets as well as prevent unauthorized use of equipment," said Jeff Clark, senior vice president of Product Management for CalAmp.

From a theft prevention standpoint, one fleet affixed "Powered by BlackBerry Radar" decals on the container doors of each of its trailers that showcase Radar's cargo sensor, GPS locator, and door alert capabilities.

"The idea behind this is the same reason why many people have 'Beware of Dog' and alarm company signs on their lawns - by letting people know that you have a security system, intruders might think twice about targeting you. Matson's deployment marked the first time that a BlackBerry Radar customer has visibly branded their assets in this way to let people know that they use our smart, IoT-based monitoring tool to reduce theft and improve fleet utilization and operational efficiency," noted Christopher Plaat, SVP and GM for BlackBerry Radar.

Best Uses For Telematics In Modern Businesses

Telematics is wireless communication between devices.

But in terms of auto insurance, it can mean so much more. Drivers with telematic features might be eligible for significant discounts on auto insurance, which is an exciting advancement considering the concept of telematics was born more than a decade ago.

Converting driving information to a premium is easier than ever with today's technology. Insurers gather data from a small in-car tracking device that records miles are driven, acceleration, braking, turns, speed and time of day. Your premium depends on this data, which means if you're a careful driver, you can save big bucks.

Monitoring & Managing Speed 

Managing drivers by using optimization software is a simple means to gain efficient operation of the asset.

"If a driver can no longer break top speeds or jackrabbit start, your repair and maintenance costs go down. It's also essential to help drive and track costs for employees in the field to a job. Pairing Derive optimization with our telematics solution to ensure the speed is capped and reviewing fuel metrics of before and after," said Charlie Mahoney, business development at Derive Systems.

A recalibration is a valuable tool most fleet professionals are not familiar with.

"Think about your smartphone: just as you make adjustments for the way you utilize your phone, your vehicle is no different. Setting fleet-specific thresholds essentially drive the change from the vehicle - not the driver. This means less progressive disciplinary events and helps ensure compliance regardless of your driver turnover," Mahoney added.

Assisting with Industry Specific Needs

It's often said, but for a good reason - not all fleets are the same, even within the same vocation or industry. Being able to monitor needs specific to your industry is invaluable.

"In the instance of waste, capturing the status of bins - whether they're locked, overflowing, etc., is one solution," said Adam Kahn, president of Netradyne. "Also, tracking where trucks are is important, so fleets can keep customers informed."

Fleet Managers have been using telematics to look at trends and make more informed decisions to optimize their fleet.

"Telematics solutions can be used to spot training opportunities for operators. We had a fleet that saw an outlier in the way one truck's crane was used. With further investigation, it was found an operator wasn't using his crane remote efficiently, and they were able to correct this, resulting in easier use for the operator," said Adam Oppermann, product manager for Stellar Industries Inc.

Tracking Weather Conditions 

Another innovative use of a video intelligence solution is using the cameras to get a glance at real-time weather conditions on the road.

"For example, if a driver is out in severe weather, a manager can hit the 'test camera' button on the back end of the system to visually check on the weather they're dealing with, where they may be stuck, etc.," said Jim Angel, vice president of Video Intelligence Solutions for Trimble Transportation.

Ensuring Solo Driver Safety

Truck fleet drivers often work solo and ensuring their safety can be more difficult.

"Trimble's Out-of-Truck notification uses geofencing and vehicle GPS location data to keep workers safe when working alone. When a remote worker arrives at a field site and leaves the truck, a timer starts, and if they don't check back in at the truck before the timer goes off, a loud siren goes off on the vehicle. If needed, the system also sends a distress message through the wireless network to the safety manager, who can then use the vehicle's location to provide detail to additional resources, such as an area manager or emergency response services," said Angel of Trimble Transportation.

A video is a great tool for new drivers.

"After drivers have their training with a trainer in the cab, the video serves as an additional step for training. It is an "onboard coach" for drivers, allowing for real-time communication and collaboration between the driver and fleet manager during the workday," said Kahn of Netradyne.

Beyond Traditional Geofencing

Geofencing is a virtual fence that can be created around a physical location, such as a city's border or even a job site.

"Fleet managers who set these up can receive alerts when vehicles or assets cross the invisible geofence border. Some businesses have set up geofences around toll roads, so the back office always knows when a company vehicle pays a toll and can begin the reporting and processing steps immediately. This helps save the business time tracking down the tolls drivers pay and ensure that the business expense is accounted for," said Kevin Aries, head of global product success for Verizon Connect.

Keeping Track of Equipment

Bluetooth-enabled smart sensors can be paired with smart IoT devices to keep track of high-value service vehicles, equipment, and tools throughout a Jobsite or yard.

"Gone are the headaches associated with manual equipment tracking and a difficult recovery process that involves costly law enforcement, legal assistance, and claims professionals. CalAmp iOn Tag service, for example, sends real-time alerts to drivers if a piece of equipment was left behind. This provides an enterprise-wide view of drivers, service vehicles, and related assets. Operations managers can reduce time spent retrieving assets as well as prevent unauthorized use of equipment," said Jeff Clark, senior vice president of Product Management for CalAmp.

From a theft prevention standpoint, one fleet affixed "Powered by BlackBerry Radar" decals on the container doors of each of its trailers that showcase Radar's cargo sensor, GPS locator, and door alert capabilities.

"The idea behind this is the same reason why many people have 'Beware of Dog' and alarm company signs on their lawns - by letting people know that you have a security system, intruders might think twice about targeting you. Matson's deployment marked the first time that a BlackBerry Radar customer has visibly branded their assets in this way to let people know that they use our smart, IoT-based monitoring tool to reduce theft and improve fleet utilization and operational efficiency," noted Christopher Plaat, SVP and GM for BlackBerry Radar.

Help with Performance & Training

Telematics providers can also provide back-end monitoring of driver routes.

"Back-end monitoring enables driver performance to be tracked and monitored so more training can be provided if needed," said Ted Lee, Head of Business Development and Product Innovation for Magellan GPS.

Finding More Areas to Improve

A top priority for many fleet managers is effectively managing the fleet's total cost and increasing savings.

"It can be challenging to identify new opportunities for savings. To help fleet managers easily identify additional areas to improve their operations, Geotab has developed the Fleet Savings Summary Report available as an add-in on the Geotab Marketplace. In this report, users can identify a proper proactive driver management program to maximize their return on investment (ROI) and minimize their cost of ignoring (COI)," said Sherry Calkins, vice president, Strategic Partners for Geotab.

Providing Contextual Input

Integrated video telematics solutions capture events as they occur and provide contextual insights to fleet operators.

"Real-time information not only provides valuable driver behaviour insights but builds a foundation of data analytics and refined automated intelligence. Smart cameras that feed data into cloud-based networks for analysis provide actionable information about speed or stop sign violations, tailgating, land drift, etc., and can help prevent collisions from keeping drivers safe and improving road safety," said Clark of CalAmp.

Pros and cons of telematics

Like any insurance plan, the aforementioned telematics-based plans have pros and cons. For the most part, drivers are happy to adopt safer driving habits in exchange for a discount. The system is a useful tool to teach teens to drive safely, and it provides feedback in real-time when the driver brakes too hard. Additionally, these tracking devices make it easier to locate a stolen vehicle.

That being said, some drivers worry about skyrocketing premiums if they drive recklessly. The system might also impose unavoidable costs based on a person's schedule. For example, someone who has to drive to work at night is more likely to come across fog, which is listed as one of several hazardous conditions that may increase the premium.

Others worry that the device may malfunction, causing drivers to pay out of pocket for any technical errors. Aside from finances, people consider data privacy to be a big con, as a survey showed many older and female drivers are resistant to monitoring.

What is different today?

Currently, telematics is the adopted terminology for all technologies associated with communication for a motor vehicle, from Google's self-driving vehicles to aftermarket location-reporting gadgets. Since the advent of the General Motors OnStar program, there's been an increasing penetration of telematics capabilities and services in automobiles. Estimates put expected penetration by 2017 at more than 70 per cent for car manufacturers' new vehicles. Today's telematics in insurance usually refers to one-way collection of available information from a vehicle. Strictly defined, that's telemetry, a subtle but important difference because telemetry doesn't impose control over a vehicle. The figure above is a simplified diagram of the process available today.

The type of data that devices can collect from or about a vehicle varies by implementation, typically drives cost, and is constrained by regulation and customers' willingness to share. Programs in place use sensors to determine factors as simple as the distance (vehicle-miles travelled) and as sophisticated as camera-based recording. Devices transmit and store the resultant collection for immediate or deferred analysis, meaningful interpretation, and/or visualization.

Many brand-name telematics programs fall into categories: usage-based insurance (UBI), pay-as-you-drive (PAYD), and pay-how-you-drive (PHYD). In the early days, the definitions of those acronyms were imprecise. But as they imply, the factors affecting premiums are generally how much (far), when, how well (behaviour), and where (location) the vehicle is driven.

The opportunity now exists for direct measurement of driver behaviour in place and time. Vehicle electronics capture hundreds of sensor inputs for processing by onboard controllers and reporting to diagnostic ports. Aftermarket device vendors have integrated technologies to allow the collection of such data (revolutions per minute, manifold airflow sensor output, malfunction indicator lights, engine trouble codes, and so forth) and combine it with time, precise GPS position, gravitational forces, and even ambient cabin noise on a second-by-second or higher frequency.

Experts distil and analyze those measurements to identify patterns that indicate poor or dangerous driving habits, such as rapid acceleration or cornering, harsh braking, or excessive speeding (>80 mph). Furthermore, systems can now link the collected telemetry with other sources of data, such as weather, traffic, and road type, to provide context to improve understanding and insights about the driver.

The race is on to interpret the data and prove what the industry has termed "demonstrated predictive potential" of the collected data elements as a direct measurement of behaviour and risk. As mentioned earlier, we're in the early days of the technology. And except for the current carrier leader, which has more than a million UBI policyholders, there isn't yet a single repository with enough data to validate risk rating models based on behaviour measurements.

Telematics Device To Look Out For

 

Smartphone Data Collection

Telematics solutions based on smartphones avoid installation costs while providing reasonable data accuracy, and they can also provide a variety of custom features through apps. These solutions offer a straightforward path to telematics data collection through the smartphone's data transmission capabilities, including cellular data and WiFi.

With the diversity of smartphone makes and models, as well as different sensors, algorithms must be applied to normalize the data that is collected, stored, and analyzed. Once the data is normalized and the other considerations addressed, smartphone telematics solutions can be successfully incorporated into a variety of telematics insurance programs.

Self-powered Data Collection

Devices in this category include the battery-powered Bluetooth®-enabled beacon, which is often mounted on the dashboard or windshield. Deployment costs are minimal, making this a cost-efficient choice for mid-range to mainstream insurance telematics programs. Bluetooth connectivity with devices, however, can be a challenge for some users.

Flexible self-powered options include both devices that communicate directly with servers using their own cellular modules, in addition to devices that tether with the smartphone and use the smartphone's cellular capabilities to get data to the server.

Tethered smartphone connections can increase customer engagement and flexibility. Vehicle identification data is captured and can be harvested later, even when a smartphone is not present in the vehicle. Data transmission can also be performed using smartphone communication and data plan capabilities, which eliminates the need to set up separate communications through the Bluetooth hardware.

Self-powered devices that communicate directly with servers minimize customer interaction; however, there is a tradeoff with a smaller density and duration of data that can be captured and transferred with this option.

OBD Data Collection

The OBD-II interface, which has been a federally mandated feature on all US vehicles since the model year 1996, is one of the earliest technologies for vehicle telematics data collection. The equivalent standard in Europe is called EOBD (European On-Board Diagnostics).

As a long-running, well-established solution in the marketplace, permanently plugged-in OBD devices have a proven track record and high level of acceptance. Driving data is typically transmitted directly over cellular networks for processing. This moderately priced option can be combined with smartphone connectivity to enhance driver engagement.

Black Box Data Collection

As the de facto standard for UBI programs in the UK, black box technology captures and delivers a stream of data from active vehicles using a cellular service for communication. A fixed electronic device-the black box-securely mounted inside the vehicle ensures that accurate trip and collision data is obtained and transmitted to a data centre.

The popularity of this approach is especially high in regions where vehicle theft is rampant, offering a proven, tamper-resistant method for prompt recovery of stolen vehicles. However, these aftermarket devices must be professionally installed in vehicles, leading to higher installation costs.

Oem Embedded Data Collection

Data extracted directly from built-in vehicle sensors eliminate aftermarket installation costs, but a lack of standardization among OEMs has impeded market acceptance. Expect to see innovative programs developed over time to take advantage of these built-in capabilities, which could lead to highly accurate data capture, new ways to monitor driving, and integration with driver-assistance features that could improve safety and reduce crash frequency and severity.

Although this form of data collection for insurance telematics is relatively uncommon today, a TSP equipped to integrate with embedded car systems and make sense of the disparate data will be able to tap into the benefits for both insurers and their customers as the technology matures.

What is the best tracking device for a car?

Posted on by Oak & Bluebird
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What is the best tracking device for a car?

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    Choosing the perfect tracking device for your car

    GPS tracking devices for cars are becoming increasingly popular. Car owners may want to track their car for several reasons. Perhaps they're afraid of car theft and want the best chance at being able to find their vehicle if someone steals it.

    Also, if multiple people use the same car, the owner may want to track where the car has been and how long it has been travelling. If you like to keep maintenance records or learn about the performance history of your vehicle, then a tracking device is the best solution. 

    Auto theft is all too common. Many times, it is almost impossible to trace your car once it has been stolen, which is why having some way to know the location of a vehicle at all times can be the difference between finding your car and buying a replacement. A GPS tracker can allow you to track the location of a vehicle anywhere it goes, so take a look at our reviews of the top GPS trackers for cars.

    Now that we live in a connected world tracking your car's location has never been easier. Using GPS technology, affordable trackers are available in today's market, allowing you to know where your car is at all times. Besides, many of these GPS trackers have additional features that can monitor driving habits, which is great for keeping an eye on a teenage driver.

    GPS trackers aren't very complex devices. Most of these can just be placed inside your vehicle once you've set up the app on your phone. Some of our recommendations are specifically designed to be used on vehicles by plugging into your car's OBD2 port. Those devices have additional features, such as monitoring your car's health and getting vehicle data such as speed, acceleration, braking, and more. They're similar to devices used by insurance companies that offer discounted monthly premiums if you allow them to track your driving habits.

    In this article, we'll take a look at the top best GPS trackers for cars, as well as explain what they are and how you should go about picking the right one for you. 

    What is a GPS Tracker?

    A GPS tracker is a fairly simple device that uses GPS technology to send location data to a cloud-based server, which you can then retrieve on your smart device or computer. All of these devices use cellular network technology (3G/4G LTE) to send information to the cloud, which you can access from anywhere around the world. Do keep in mind, however, that some trackers will only send tracking data in specific countries since they use cellular data. If you need a device that works internationally, make sure you get a tracker with an international SIM.

    Many of these devices now use apps that you can install on your Android or iOS smartphones. Some also offer a web-based option for tracking data so that you can check it out from any computer.

    Best Vehicle GPS Trackers Reviews

     

     

    Vyncs GPS Tracker: Best for Long-Term Tracking

     

    The Vyncs GPS tracks location, unsafe driving practices, engine diagnostics, battery life, maintenance needs, recall notices, and fuel levels.

    It evaluates your driving to give you a Tip Performance Index (TPI) score that can help you save money on car insurance. Its free companion app, VyncsMiles, is compatible with Amazon Alexa and can track mileage and categorize it by personal and business use.

    Vyncs uses one-year plans instead of month-to-month deals. This kind pricing can save you cash if you're committed to tracking your vehicle's location for a while.

    You can also check out Vync's Basic, Premium, and Pro plans that sweeten the deal with services like roadside assistance. Vyncs also has a Fleet service for commercial customers who might want to monitor their employees during deliveries or routes.

    The OBD plug-in GPS device costs around $75 and comes with a one-year basic plan subscription (and a one-time activation fee of $30). Yearly renewal costs are about the same, which works out to around $6 a month, making it the least expensive GPS on our list.

    We don't like that the default refresh time is three minutes-the fastest refresh time (15 seconds) is available only for an added fee. The user interface is also a little tricky to manage.

    MOTOsafety GPS Tracker: Best for New Drivers

    With a driving education course for teens, Google Maps route replay, geofencing, and customizable location alerts, the easy-to-install MOTOsafety GPS Tracker earned our top spot for new teen drivers.

    This tracking device costs around only $20 with a monthly fee of $19.99. You won't have to sign a contract or pay a cancellation fee, but you will have to call the company if you want to cancel.

    We like the included driver training program, with access to educational content and practise quizzes to help your teen prep for their driving test.

    We also like the daily driving report card on the mobile app, but metrics can be confusing. Speed limits aren't always accurate on Google Maps, so MOTOsafety might say you're speeding even when you're not.

    Likewise, normal rapid acceleration-like when you're merging onto a busy highway-can also count against you. We recommend taking it out for a test drive and checking the sensitivity before taking away your teen's car keys for a bad grade on their MOTOsafety driving report.

    Spytec GL300 GPS Tracker

    SpyTecGPS is one of the leading manufacturers within the GPS industry, and the GL300 is our top pick for the category. This GPS tracker offers near-perfect 4G LTE coverage with impressive 2.5-week battery life. It's fairly compact as well, measuring 3″ tall by 0.38″ thick, allowing you to conceal the device within your car easily.

    The GL300 is compatible with any smartphone, tablet, computer, and network provider. Using satellite technology, this GPS tracker boasts unlimited tracking range, so you don't have to be anywhere near it to get a precise location. With your smart device, you can set up notification preferences and receive alerts if the tracker leaves or arrives at a specific location-great for tracking cars, especially if your child is driving. You're able to store up to a year's worth of activity and can set up reports that summarize the tracker's historical data.

    This GPS tracker is also a bit future-proof since new features are added monthly as the company's development team uses machine learning and other advanced tools to increase tracking accuracy and boost platform intelligence.

    A data plan is required to use this device (and all other GPS trackers), which starts at $24.95 a month, but you can cancel at any time, and there are no cancellation fees.

    LandAirSea 54 Waterproof Magnet Mount GPS Tracker

    If you want a waterproof device, LandAirSea's 54 GPS tracker is 100% waterproof and uses a built-in magnet for easy installation. Since the device itself is waterproof, you don't have to purchase a separate case for it. Featuring an ultra-compact design (about the size of a small roll of Scotch tape), this GPS tracker is powered by a rechargeable battery that can last 1 to 2 weeks on a single charge, depending on use.

    Monitoring this device can be done through the LandAirSea mobile app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices, or you can use the web-based SilverCloud software. Features include historical playback, geofence and address proximity alerts, arrival and departure notifications, alerts via SMS or email, Sharepoint (shareable link to the live GPS location), InstaFence (creates an instant geofence around the target), and unlimited printable reports.

    This GPS tracker uses 4G LTE connectivity and includes a SIM with unlimited data and unlimited access to LandAirSea's tracking servers. It costs $24.95 a month for 60-second tracking updates, and the company does offer faster rates. 

    Need help finding the right GPS tracking device for your business vehicles? Talk to our experts!

    PRIMETRACKING Personal GPS Tracker

    If you need something extremely compact, this GPS tracker is one of the smallest units available. From PRIMETRACKING, this product measures 3″ by 1.5″, so you can easily conceal it inside your vehicle or use it to track anything else. 

    Although it's small in size, the tracker still boasts a 2-week battery life. Features include location change alerts, detailed activity location, route history, and geofence. And like other GPS trackers, it has an unlimited range, so you don't have even to have to be in the same country to monitor your car's location.

    Subscription fees for this device are $25 per month or save a bit by doing six months at $20 per month. You can cancel at any time, and there are no activation fees.

    telematics

    Tracki Mini GPS Tracker

    Tracki offers another extremely compact GPS tracker. This device comes with an international SIM, which means it works in over 185 countries. Measuring 1.8″ by 1.6″ by 0.7″ and weighing just 1.7 ounces, this compact tracker also comes in handy for other uses besides tracking your car.

    The company offers a lifetime warranty with its product and even provides a free tracker replacement if you lose your original unit. It also uses a replaceable battery, although its standard battery life isn't as great as other products. If you need updates every 1 to 5 minutes, the battery will last 2 to 3 days. If you only need updates four times per day, the battery will last up to 30 days on a single charge. A larger battery is offered separately that puts it in line with other devices, offering 2-weeks battery life with real-time updates or up to 6 months if you're getting updates four times per day.

    You can set up geofence zones with this device and receive alerts for various things, including speed alerts, and movement notifications via SMS or email. It saves up to 5 years of history with the route, speed, and time stamps.

    The Tracki GPS tracker ships with a magnet, Velcro, and belt clip, allowing easy installation for however you want to use it.

    Pricing for Tracki's Mini GPS Tracker is $19.95 per month, or as low as $9.95 per month if you do a long term plan.

    CarLock Car Tracker & Alert System

    Another OBD2 device, CarLock's GPS tracker monitors your car in real-time, alerting you when your vehicle is moved, when the engine starts, if unusual vibration is detected, or if the device itself is removed from your car. Since this device connects to your car's OBD2 port, it can also monitor other factors such as fast acceleration, hard and sudden braking, and even sharp and sudden turns. Each month, it'll report a driver safety score, which is a great feature for monitoring young drivers. Besides, the device can let you know if your car's battery is running dangerously low or if it's experiencing high battery drain.

    As a tracker, it'll also record route history for you to review or export to a spreadsheet in .xls or .csv format.

    CarLock has one of the more affordable plans, costing $9.60 per month. You also get the first month free.

    Trak-4 GPS Tracker

    Another affordable option is Trak-4's GPS tracker. Featuring a rechargeable internal battery that lasts 12 to 18 months on a single charge with daily reporting, this device is designed more for commercial use with its rugged housing. You can choose in-motion ping rates from 1 minute to 1 hour, but battery life suffers if you're requesting more frequent updates.

    Map history is provided with this tracker, along with geofence zones that support email or SMS alerts. This is a great option for companies since it uses REST API for GPS reports. It's very developer-friendly with full source code examples and documentation available. More importantly, if there is no GPS signal available, the Trak-4 uses cell-trilateration to give an approximate location.

    Trak-4's monthly subscription costs start at $6.99 per month when prepaid annually, or $12.99 per month if you're paying monthly. That's for hourly updates-if you want 10 minutes or 1-minute updates, you'll have to pay more. No contract, activation, or cancellation fees and a SIM is included with the device.

    Optimus Tracker GPS Tracker with Twin Magnet Case

    This bundle from Optimus Tracker includes the Optimus 2.0 GPS tracker with 4G LTE connectivity and a twin magnet case. The case features watertight and water-resistant construction, and the Neodymium magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnets available commercially. Create alerts, geofences, and driving reports from within the app, which is available for Android and iOS devices. Configurable notifications include when the tracker starts moving, when a vehicle is speeding if the device has low battery if the SOS button is triggered, or when the vehicle enters or exits the geofence zones. Those alerts can be sent via email or SMS.

    One full charge of the battery should last 1 to 2 weeks, with it ranging on how often you're reporting data.

    The Optimus 2.0 costs $19.95 per month with no contract or hidden fees, and you can cancel anytime. Customize the report frequency from 30 seconds while moving or 10 seconds. 

    Ok Gps Asset Tracking Driver On Highway Hex

    What to Look for in a Car GPS Tracker

    Price 

    GPS trackers can run anywhere from $25 to over $100, so it's important to think about what you want to spend. But there's more than just the upfront cost to take into consideration - many operators charge a monthly fee to store your vehicle's GPS data in the cloud. If you're looking for long-term data but don't want to pay monthly, it might be worth paying more upfront to avoid these kinds of charges.

    Special features 

    If the only thing you want from your device is tracking, your decision is probably pretty straightforward - but many of the options on our list can do a lot more. From daily driving reports and Alexa integration to diagnosing engine trouble, these models have many different features that may be relevant to your needs.

    Power 

    The question of battery versus plugged in is relevant for most electronics, and car GPS trackers are no exception. Many of these devices have long-term batteries, while others connect to your car. It's important to consider whether you want to worry about recharging or replacing batteries, or whether you'd like the device to always be on whenever your car is running.

    If your concern is theft, you may want a more discreet and compact option that can be hidden inside your vehicle. Savvy thieves may know to check the OBD2 port for a GPS tracker prior to running off with your car. If that's your main priority, get one of our smaller recommendations that can be hidden underneath a floor mat or in the trunk.

    What is GPS Asset Tracking?

    Posted on by Oak & Bluebird
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    What is GPS Asset Tracking?

    Think about all of your physical assets. You may have more than you realised, and if you do, then you need to enhance your asset tracking practices. Asset tracking sometimes referred to as asset management, is the method you use to track your physical assets, whether you scan barcode labels attached to them or you use GPS or RFID tags that broadcast their location. Asset tracking is just as important as managing your inventory because you need to know the location, status, maintenance schedule, and other important information about your organisation's physical assets. Indeed, asset tracking is important to your organisation's bottom line and compliance, as you are responsible for locating and replacing lost or missing physical assets, as well as those that have come to the end of their lifecycle.

    Asset tracking is about capturing up-to-date information on your most valuable equipment. It's a way of recording location and usage information to ensure your items are safe. However, good asset tracking software also forms the basis of effective business processes, as well as informing operational decision-making.

    What Is Asset Tracking?

    Asset Tracking is the process of capturing vital information on the status and location of assets using scanners to detect barcodes or RFID tags for asset verification. As an alternative to scanning, data can be entered manually into a central asset register. The register should offer fully-customisable fields for recording valuable asset data.

    Organisations carry out asset Tracking with the aim of improving the usage and security of valuable items. Additionally, routine physical audits are mandated by auditors to ensure that finance departments can verify the existence of assets that are listed on the balance sheet. Organisations that fail to track assets correctly could be losing vast sums of money on an annual basis.

    Asset Tracking differs from Inventory tracking; the former is the process of monitoring the value of items owned by the business along with useful information about location, ownership, associated documents, etc.. In contrast, the latter describes keeping an accurate record of items that are held in stock for sale to customers.

    Asset tracking is the process of recording and managing valuable items that a business owns. It involves logging every piece of equipment so you can record daily use and other key details in one centralised system. The aim is not only to ensure you know where your key assets are but that they're cost-effective business tools that are also being properly maintained.

    At a basic level, asset tracking systems provide a procedure for staff to log when they use the equipment and where they take it. However, they can also be used to keep track of your assets in a large warehouse environment so that staff can locate items quickly. You might also record details such as model and make, when maintenance is due or how much use the item has had.

    By logging this type of information in one centralised system, anyone can access it whenever they need to, which keeps your business operations moving 24/7. Employees can locate the equipment they need quickly and avoid unnecessary project delays. Administrators can access data reports to ensure that they send machinery for maintenance as required, order spare parts and deal with lease renewals on time.

    Methods of Asset Tracking

    While asset tracking can be time-consuming and expensive; there are methods of asset tracking that can save your organisation time and money. The goal of any asset tracking system, therefore, is to maximise asset control efficiency and minimise equipment loss. Through the use of mobile computers, barcode labels, handheld barcode scanners, and asset management software, you can track your assets in real-time, resulting in more efficient production planning and reduced downtime. The proper management software also enables organisations to schedule necessary maintenance or service, or even preventive maintenance. Complete asset tracking solutions include barcode technology, enabling organisations to scan their fixed assets to track them accurately and efficiently.

    Barcodes are the standard for data collection and asset tracking, giving each asset a unique identifier so that they may be individually recognised and tracked. Barcodes include information that is critical to the business, such as project name, asset category, and more. Barcode scanners read each barcode, allowing organisations to count assets more quickly and accurately without the risk of introducing human error.

    Benefits of Asset Tracking

    The benefits of asset tracking are numerous, and nearly all contribute to a healthier bottom line for the organisations that properly implement effective asset management processes. We highlight some of the most beneficial advantages of employing asset tracking here:

      • Improve efficiency and trim costs

     

      • Adjust company records as the equipment is reassigned between departments, and use the updated information when calculating taxes and costs for each department Benefits of Asset Tracking

     

      • Quickly and easily locate assets at any time, and in real-time

     

      • Conduct asset tracking using fewer resources, with the aid of an asset tracking system

     

      • Lower administrative costs, since administrators do not need to track or locate assets manually

     

      • Track and reduce asset loss and utilise assets more effectively

     

      • Grow your company and scale your asset tracking as necessary

     

      • Improve customer service through improved asset tracking and management practices

     

      • Ensure accountability and accuracy with asset loss and management

     

      • Immediately know where your assets have been allocated

     

      • Proper asset tracking is required for regulatory compliance in certain industries

     

      • Increase the efficiency and organisation of your company's physical space by identifying which items are accessed together and creating a better structure of your physical system

     

      • Get real-time reports on the position of each asset and increase the accuracy of your asset management

     

     

    What does asset tracking software do?

    Because using spreadsheets for asset management is time-consuming and inefficient, more organisations are implementing asset tracking software.

    Asset tracking software is a digital, centralised system that allows your organisation to track important details about each asset in real-time.

    This decreases administrative costs, improves service, and gives your organisation greater visibility into asset utilisation, costs, and maintenance. That makes it easy to see where all your assets live within your space, check maintenance records and more. With asset tracking software, you can:

    Track everything

    The new FASB lease accounting standards require companies to maintain detailed records of each leased asset. With asset tracking software, your company can track any number of assets in one place. Each asset contains a detailed profile that illustrates everything you need to know about that asset, including pictures, product guides, key contacts, and contract terms.

    Access information anywhere

    Asset tracking solutions come equipped with a mobile app that allows managers to validate asset information wherever they are, even if they're away from the office. You can search by owner, location, type, or serial number, edit files (to correct owner or location information if needed), take pictures of an asset, scan asset information via a barcode scanner, and more - all from the convenience of a mobile device.

    Create customised reports

    With asset tracking software, you can quickly and easily generate reports, including asset location, utilisation and cost reports. Managers can also include contract terms, lease or maintenance information in the reports and set contract expiration notifications.

    Who needs asset tracking software?

    Asset tracking software is important to all types of organisations, but especially within companies that rely heavily on assets for operations. Airlines, construction companies, fleet companies, and manufacturers, for instance, all need to track and maintain complex equipment. In these industries, equipment downtime results in lost productivity, revenue, and potential damage to customer relationships.

    However, even companies in less equipment-heavy industries still need to manage asset performance. For instance, a large financial services company has dozens of buildings that all need to be properly maintained to ensure the safety and comfort of employees and customers. Less visible assets, such as HVAC systems, water heaters, and sprinkler systems for fire protection are no less important. If one of these assets stops working, you could be putting your building occupants' health and safety in jeopardy.

    IT assets, such as servers and firewalls, are also critical when it comes to protecting your customers' data.

    Asset tracking isn't just for maintenance personnel, facilities managers, and IT leaders. It's also important to accounting and purchasing managers responsible for tracking inventory.

    As business is starting, the concept of asset tracking isn't usually top of mind. Many businesses may even ask the question, what is asset tracking? So let's drill down to the bare basics of asset tracking and what it is and how it can benefit any company in any industry.

    Asset tracking, in its simplest definition, is the method used to track a company's physical assets either by scanning barcode labels attached to the assets or by using tags using GPS or RFID, which broadcast their location. Asset tracking provides real-time, accurate data on what a company owns, how an asset is used (or in some cases, not used) and its contribution to the bottom line.

    Before we go too much further into asset tracking and how it works, it's important to understand what an asset is. An asset is an item that is considered a resource owned by a company and has economic value that can be measured and expressed in dollars. There are two main categories of assets: 1) tangible assets, which include items like computers, furniture, vehicles, camera equipment, mobile phones and tablets; and 2) intangible assets, which are comprised of items like contracts, software licenses, patents.

    Assets are commonly confused with "inventory" in business. Inventory is an asset that is intended to be sold, consumed or distributed in some way in the ordinary course of business.

    Asset Tracking differs from inventory tracking in that asset tracking is the process of monitoring the value of items owned by a business, along with pertinent details on each item regarding its location, ownership, maintenance schedule. In contrast, inventory tracking is associated with keeping an accurate record of items that are held in stock for sale to customers.

    On a daily basis, a company's assets pass through multiple sets of hands both internally, among employees as well as externally, among service providers, which means the opportunity for lost or mismanaged assets is a big risk. Years ago, asset tracking involved manual procedures in entering data such as handwritten ledgers and online spreadsheets. Eventually came the addition of expensive hardware, like handheld scanners, which needed frequent maintenance and updates and were not conducive to staying on top of constantly moving assets among a growing workforce.

    Today's asset tracking technology is much easier to use and understand. Many programs are now cloud-based systems that sync with mobile apps and come with a mobile barcode scanner that can be used with an employee's own smartphone or tablet. From the palm of their hand, authorised employees have round-the-clock access to the entire lifecycle of each of their company's assets - from where it is, the check-in/check-out status, maintenance reports and even financial data on if it's a benefit for the task it's responsible for.

    The benefits of employing an asset tracking system are plentiful. Employees can manage equipment, update licenses or software agreements, confirm inspections and report on all relevant maintenance activities from the moment an asset arrives on site until it's no longer deemed usable. Many companies are reaping the cost savings afforded to them from asset tracking in that they keep better tabs on all their assets, which can be quite costly if an item is lost or stolen. Employees are better able to use their time for their day-to-day jobs instead of looking for misplaced assets or trying to track down an item that isn't where it's supposed to be on a certain day. Businesses have been able to reduce the number of duplicate purchases by confirming what has already been purchased through real-time data that can be fully customised for a company's individual reporting needs.

    And one of the most important aspects of asset tracking is that it improves accuracy in a company, which is very important no matter the size. Having a real understanding of what assets a company owns, where they are at any given time, how they are being used and what is necessary to make the asset a relevant part of the company's success is vital. When a company is aware of what assets they possess, there's no need to guess anymore. And guessing in business is always a huge risk for everyone involved.

    Reasons for Tracking Your Company Assets with GPS

    Are you thinking of hooking up your assets with a GPS tracker? Gone are the days when GPS tracking technology was only used for national security as the field of GPS has improved drastically over the last years. GPS trackers have surely become more affordable and easily available, which makes it possible to tag your assets with GPS units.

    All asset tracking devices make use of a GPS tracking software which is extremely powerful and user-friendly. The asset GPS trackers are worth investment of your business regardless of its size. We will further explain how asset tracking devices help businesses with the most common known five reasons to use them. Just check out the list and make sure to buy a quality Fleet Tracking system or a GPS tracking solution for your business as soon as possible.

    Recover Your Stolen Assets Immediately

    On many occasions, recovering stolen assets or equipment makes it hard to carry out business operations successfully. The situation becomes a lot more critical if the stolen equipment is used in day-to-day operations. When you attach a GPS tracking device to a piece of valuable equipment, it will allow the authorities to recover it quickly and get your business on track.

    Better utilisation of assets 

    When you are not using your assets, they will not generate any profit for your business. GPS tracking systems help in identifying which assets are underused so that you can either put them to work or sell them. An asset tracking system will boost the overall utilisation of your assets resulting in increased profit.

    Less Insurance Investment

    Installing a GPS tracking system allows you to get a discount on monthly payments from the insurance companies. The asset tracker is mostly treated as an anti-theft device and will help in reducing the insurance costs. On the other hand, when you can recover the lost equipment yourself, there is no need to file any claims resulting in a reduction in insurance premium and other additional costs.

    Precise Billing

    Have you ever thought of enjoying price billing with GPS trackers? The use of tracking software will help in finding out the exact number of hours the asset has been used. When you are able to monitor the actual use of the asset, you can easily prepare accurate and precise billing. Precise billing is the unique but effective application of GPS tracker which should be used by the business owners.

    Improved Visibility

    Asset tracking systems can help manage a business by helping managers gain access to real-time reports along with location and status updates. These updates are best suited for effective management of jobs. Dispatchers can locate assets quickly when a job requires a specific asset and arrange the delivery of the equipment with the help tracking software.

    There are plenty more reasons which can justify the importance of GPS tracking of assets. Managing a business is a challenging task in today's competitive world, and it is important to take care of assets and use them properly in order to grow and prosper.

    What are telematics and how can it help your fleet

    Posted on by Oak & Bluebird
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    What are telematics and how can it help your fleet

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      Today we'll be explaining what telematics is and how telematics solutions are critical to successfully managing a commercial fleet.

      Telematics is the meeting of several scientific disciplines, mainly telecommunications, or the communication of information across phone lines, cables, and now in the cloud; and computer processing or data synthesis.

      As defined by Gartner, telematics refers to the use of wireless devices and black box technologies to transmit data in real-time back to an organization. Typically the word "telematics" is used in the context of commercial vehicle fleets, where a sensor collects and transmits data on vehicle use, maintenance requirements, and more.

      Put simply, telematics refers to the collection, transmission, and processing of data from real-world machines like trucks and trailers and other assets, and almost always refers to commercial fleet solutions.

      So here's how it works.

      First, data is collected from a vehicle or asset either using an aftermarket sensor or embedded or factory-built solutions. The data collected includes GPS location data, and information about the vehicle's use, like speeding, harsh braking and turning, and vehicle diagnostics.

      With us, this data is then sent directly to the cloud, where it can be processed and translated in real-time, and then viewed in a digestible format on a website or a dashboard.

      By collecting, transmitting, and synthesizing data, telematics solutions give fleet managers access to real-time information about what's happening to their fleet out on the road. These solutions help capture important information about your operations, driver behaviour and safety, and vehicle health.

      We talk about the ways that telematics solutions pay for themselves by allowing businesses to increase operational efficiency by radically improving their visibility into their operations with realtime data, and uncovering new ways to save money and time.

      They also improve customer service by using up-to-the-second information about day-to-day fleet movement in the cloud, so the back office can investigate customer questions without disrupting drivers.

      Telematic solutions also allow businesses to protect their drivers with safety programs and coaching based on real fleet and driver performance information.

      And finally, telematics solutions allow businesses to stay compliant with regulations for logging hours of service, completion of vehicle inspection reports, and more.

      So is your business looking for a vehicle tracking solution that can provide real-time data for your fleet? Samsara brings the technological experience of Google and Apple engineering to GPS fleet-tracking with a telematic solution that provides fleet managers greater visibility into their operations.

      To learn more about telematics solution and how we can help your business reach out to us.

      We spoke to a UK insurer on how they use telematics in the insurance space.

      Telematics is really the use of devices to monitor and see how devices are being used in real life. So that could be a box in a car telling us how the car's been driven, or it could be devices in the home telling us how the home monitoring systems are working. Or it could be a collar on a dog to tell us how much exercise the dog is getting and how much activity it's getting. So use of devices to get data on how something has been used or how much activity's been undertaken.

      The big inroads that telematics has made to date have been in the car insurance space.

      And in the UK that's primarily in the young driver space. So probably 30 to 40% of all new young drivers will buy a product with telematics, with a box or a device that will monitor how they drive.

      But what the device allows is it allows insurers to give feedback to the drivers as to how they're driving, tips and hints on how to drive better. They incentivize them. So they'll give them cashback if they do drive well. And sometimes we might give them a little tap on the shoulder, a phone call to say, "Actually, you were going a bit fast there. Yesterday on such and such a road, do you know what the speed limit is?" And we'll try and encourage people to drive safely.

      Telematics products that have got a level of monitoring attached to it will not be for everyone. And that's fine. So there are some people who don't want it. That's absolutely fine. We make it clear that that's part of our proposition. And for the people who do want it, we just have to be really clear about what benefit they get from the product.

      I actually think there are lots and lots of examples in our life where we trade personal information for some benefit. Barely a day will go past and something will pop up on your mobile phone and it will say, "Do you want to share your location data with this app?" And we all make snap judgements around, "Well, no, I don't want to because actually I've got no value there." Or, "Yes, I will. I can see the benefit in doing that. I'll get some value back."

      And in the same way, we're asking people to share their driving data with us. And then they're making the judgment that, actually, is that good for them? Are they going to get something back? And for the ones that do then, that's great.

      What is telematics?

      As quoted by Teletrac, Telematics is the technology used to monitor a wide range of information relating to an individual vehicle or an entire fleet. Telematics systems gather data including vehicle location, driver behaviour, engine diagnostics and vehicle activity, and visualise this data on software platforms that help fleet operators manage their resources.

      The word 'telematics' is a compound term. It combines 'tele' - a prefix denoting remote communications (the prefix is derived from the Greek for 'far off', or 'at a distance') - and 'informatics', a discipline incorporating the practice of information processing. Hence, this is what telematics is about: transmitting information over long distances. It is used for a variety of commercial and non-commercial purposes, but when this technology is used in fleet management, it is most commonly utilised to manage vehicles or other assets remotely and to provide an overview of a range of information relating to them.

      In recent years, telematics has changed the face of a number of industries, with its driving a major transformation in transport and construction. Businesses across a huge range of sectors have come to adopt telematics, which has helped to improve reliability, boost customer service standards, increase efficiency and enhance the bottom line.

      How Does it Benefit Fleets?

      A combination of the words telecommunications and informatics, it was the joining of these two sciences that resulted in the field of telematics.

      In its broadest sense telematics actually includes the internet itself, since it combines telecommunications (phone lines, cables, etc.) with informatics (such as computer systems). However, the term is now more commonly used to apply to vehicle telematics, where vehicle location information is used in different business applications to ultimately help business owners better manage a fleet-based workforce.

      The technology allows the sending, receiving and storing of information relating to remote objects (in this case, the vehicle) via telecommunication devices that plugs into the OBD II or CAN-BUS port, with a SIM card and onboard modem enabling communication through a mobile network. This smart device, also known as a 'black box' then records and reports on various points of available data. There are many who believe, however, that telematics simply shows GPS vehicle location - this does not begin to cover the breadth of actionable intelligence that telematics provides.

      But, before we get into the details of what telematics can really do, let's quickly look at how it came about in the first place.

      The early days of telematics

      Telematics developed alongside the internet. As computers became smaller and more widespread, the need for an easy way to exchange data grew. This is when telecommunication technology was used to connect computers with each other as well as other devices and thus telematics was born.

      (Quick fact: The actual term 'telematics' was coined back in 1978 by Simon Nora and Alain Minc in their report titled 'L'Informatisation de la société' - which was prepared for the French Prime Minister in response to the development of computer technology and the dawning of the information age).

      Since that time, computer processors have become smaller and more ubiquitous, while telecommunication networks have become widespread and effective in transferring larger amounts of data, regardless of where the computer is located. Whether it's on a truck driving through the remotest parts of the Nullabor or a delivery van in Sydney CBD, telematics can transfer near real-time data to central offices to help business owners better manage their fleet.

      How does a telematics system work?

      At the core of a telematics system is a vehicle tracking device. It collects GPS data as well as a huge range of vehicle-specific data from the vehicle's ODBII port and transmits it via either GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), 4G mobile data or satellite communication to a centralised server that then interprets the data and enables it's displayed to end-users.

      There is a multitude of data collected by the telematics device, which when decoded, can provide in-depth vehicle information such as location, speed, idling time, harsh acceleration or braking (measured by an internal accelerometer), fuel consumption, vehicle faults and much more.

      All this data is then layered over a map in our fleet management software in near real-time and can be viewed via secure websites and apps optimised for smartphones and tablets.

      So what can telematics really do?

      Today there is practically no limit to the different applications for telematics. The world is becoming more connected every day as more devices are networked into the internet of things (IoT) and new ways to use location-based information are being developed constantly.

      Yet still there is an ongoing misconception by many that vehicle telematics just shows GPS vehicle location - a simple dot on the map as it were. This doesn't even scratch the surface.

      With this telematics data, you can then determine when a driver is speeding, check the idling status of each vehicle in your fleet and send near real-time alerts to drivers to show them the fastest, most efficient routes to take. Further to this, you can also monitor fuel consumption, individual driving behaviour, time spent at (and outside of) specific locations and whether your vehicles require urgent maintenance.

      The use of telematics is growing in Australia and worldwide. According to a study, "the number of fleet management systems in active use in Australia and New Zealand is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 16.4 percent from almost 0.8 million units at the end of 2017 to nearly 1.7 million by 2022." 1

      Find the right solution for your business with our Fleet Management Services

      Simply having telematics, however, is not enough. Not all telematics solutions are created equal and in order for you to make the most out of the intelligence available, you need to find one that's right for your business.

      How to make the most of telematics

      Adopting a telematics solution is crucial for truly efficient and effective fleet management and there are a number of significant advantages that implementing an intelligent telematics solution will bring to your business.

      For starters, who wouldn't want a complete picture of their entire fleet at their fingertips, via intuitive and easy-to-use dashboards delivered through a mobile app?

      Here are six fundamental ways telematics-adopting companies are enhancing the potential of their fleets:

        1. Decreased fuel costs: Tracking driver behaviour could help you to identify areas of waste and act upon them accordingly, which ultimately helps towards reducing your fuel bill. Also, with the right fleet management solution, you'll be able to plan the most efficient route for each of your drivers at the touch of a button. This helps to reduce any unnecessary mileage.

       

        1. Improved safety: Because feedback on driving style and behaviours are continuous, fleet managers are in the best position to coach drivers about their bad habits (speeding, late or harsh braking) and also acknowledge those who perform well. Whilst your drivers are likely to have good intentions and don't set out to jeopardise the safety of other road users, they are only human and can easily slip into bad habits. With a telematics solution, you can closely monitor these bad habits and produce reports, or league tables, which highlight your drivers' behaviour and help to implement new safety targets.

       

        1. Boosted productivity: With near real-time GPS data, your drivers can lessen traffic delays, as well as giving you the ability to quickly and easily attribute any new or additional site visits to the nearest vehicle and instruct them on the most efficient route to get there.

       

        1. Better payroll management: By tracking the precise time a vehicle starts at the beginning of the day to the moment it shuts down at the end, a fleet tracking solution provides an accurate, automated record of how long an employee worked and where. By automating payroll, business owners not only help ensure their employees are paid accurately for the hours they have worked, but they can also take back the time currently spent manually matching up timesheets and job tickets.

       

        1. Reduce unauthorised use: One-way fleet owners could lower the risk of accidents is to verify that your fleet vehicles are only on the road when they need to be, during business hours. However, are you certain none of your vehicles are used in a driver's own time without consent? With a telematics solution, you can monitor when a vehicle is used out of hours as well as having the option to geofence certain areas so that your vehicles are where you expect them to be at all times.

       

        1. Lower maintenance costs: Fleet telematics can be set-up to deliver alerts based on mileage, engine use or time. Couple this with information on driving behaviour and you can monitor the wear and tear on your company vehicles in order to plan and carry out preventative maintenance. Furthermore, a comprehensive solution can alert you of diagnostic trouble codes such as engine warning lights, removing the need to rely on the driver to report faults and enabling you to resolve the issue quickly, reducing ongoing damage.

       

       

      Find the right telematics solution for your business

      So, how do you know which solution is right for you and your business?

      There are many telematics service providers out there but few are flexible enough to offer the right mix of features to ensure you receive the maximum benefits of tracking your fleet. The best of the bunch will give you simple usability, easy-to-understand technology and financial clarity from start to finish. What's more, GPS tracking systems are only becoming better at integrating with your existing business applications so it's the perfect time to consider one for your business.

      OK provides solutions to help solve all of your biggest fleet management challenges. If you want to explore this or you have more questions regarding telematics, why not schedule a short demonstration?

      How modern asset tracking can make your job site more efficient

      Posted on by Oak & Bluebird

      How modern asset tracking can make your job site more efficient

      Asset tracking is the practice of managing, tracking and reporting on physical assets such as vehicles, trailers, shipping containers and construction equipment.

      Traditionally, businesses have relied on manual methods to keep track of their high-value assets, including walking around premises to locate assets when needed and manually logging into Excel spreadsheets. With an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled asset tracking and fleet management system, you can streamline this time-consuming process and make asset and fleet management significantly easier and more effective.

      The latest technology allows for a range of tracking hardware and software to be integrated with your assets, feeding information through to a centralised platform that you can view anywhere on any device via the internet for real-time reporting and analysis.

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      Why is asset tracking so valuable on work sites?

      Data, data, data! IoT's ability to capture an incredible volume of data from your assets unlocks a range of workplace efficiencies.

      Tracking and collecting data provides you with the information needed to monitor asset utilisation and output in order to improve your productivity. With accurate data, including location data, predictive insights and real-time alerts for specific triggers, management can make decisions based on facts rather than opinions, gut feel, or rough estimates - taking assumptions out of the equation.

      What data should you be looking at?

      IoT asset tracking can reveal an extraordinary amount of information about your business, but which data points are most important to your business and what data should you be tracking? 

      Below, we cover the 3 key areas of fleet and asset data you should be capturing to improve your business' efficiency and productivity on any job site.

      1. Cost and productivity

      Understanding the financials is critical to managing assets effectively and achieving the best return on your capital investment. For example, accurate data gives you insights into what asset-related costs your business can reduce or remove.

      Areas to focus on may include:

      2. Safety and compliance

      Used correctly, an asset tracking and fleet management solution can reduce the risk of accidents, which makes job sites and being on the road much safer for everyone.

      The following metrics can help ensure you're meeting your compliance obligations and are following the correct safety procedures:

      • Number of unsafe driving incidents
      • Real-time fatigue and distraction monitoring
      • Measure of safe driving practices
      • Monitor use of safety procedures
      • Monitoring asset health and maintenance requirements
      • Training drivers and their performance over time
      • Pre-start checklist and maintenance report completion

      3. Performance and utilisation

      Understanding asset performance helps identify inefficiencies, which help with long-term planning and decision-making regarding asset purchases. A focus on output and utilisation can help you understand your current capacity and if you have the right size fleet to produce the required output without retaining un-utilised assets.

      Areas of interest might be:

      • Asset utilisation 
      • Productive time vs idle time
      • Reasons for underperformance
      • Finding the assets that are underperforming and identifying the reason why

      Why is tracking so important?

      To put it simply, asset tracking collects data, and data is good for business. With more visibility over the performance and utilisation of your assets, you can make data-driven decisions that help improve asset utilisation, reduce costs and increase output on your job sites.

      Additionally, a robust asset tracking and fleet management solution can help you eliminate lost or stolen assets, saving time searching for them and processing insurance claims, and ensure that you are meeting your safety and compliance and Chain of Responsibility requirements through integrated checklists, operator safety monitoring and asset health monitoring.

      Not sure where to get started?

      Does your business have room to improve on the way it manages its assets? Among many other benefits, asset tracking has the potential to increase the efficiency of your job site significantly.

      Contact our team below to learn more about Connect and our asset tracking solutions.

      How asset tracking gives valuable insights into asset utilisation

      Posted on by Oak & Bluebird

      How asset tracking gives valuable insights into asset utilisation

      Better utilisation of assets is often described as the key to a more efficient operation. This is because it's a very useful metric that can help managers figure out how to improve their business' bottom line by making better use of their company's assets.

      There are several well-used measures of financial return in the business world, including Return on Investment (ROI), Return on Equity (ROE) and Return on Assets (ROA). A fourth one, Return on Capital (ROC), is one to watch closely, however.

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      As defined by Investopedia, this is a calculation used to assess a company's efficiency at allocating the capital under its control to formal investments. "The return on invested capital ratio gives a sense of how well a company is using its money to generate returns."

      ROC is defined as:

      After-tax operating profit / Invested capital

      (Invested capital = Debt capital + equity capital - cash)

      Understanding this return on your capital investments regarding equipment and machinery should be factored into your bottom line and considered in any significant decision making.

      The downsides of not tracking asset utilisation

      Without tracking asset utilisation in your business, you'll have little or no visibility on what value your assets provide. You won't have data on the productive output of assets, idle time or downtime that your assets experience. This means you'll have a limited understanding of the return on your capital investments, or when you'll make your money back on them. Without these insights, you'll be uninformed about your actual bottom line and how to take steps to improve your overall profit. 

      Without a robust asset tracking solution, your business may:

      • Have too many underutilised assets
      • Not have enough assets to keep up with demand and maximise revenue
      • Experience lots of idle time or downtime
      • Have little to no visibility on ROI
      Get access to our free eBook on The Future of Work

      How to achieve maximum utilisation with asset tracking

      Assets are essential to every business. Therefore, it's worth investing in them and ensuring they provide an adequate return for your business. Asset tracking allows you to view which pieces of equipment are being used - as well as when and how often - across geographic locations.

      This data enables management to make better-informed decisions, including whether to rent or sell an asset, see if its under-utilised or if owned assets from other locations can be deployed more productively. This can aid you in right-sizing your fleet of assets, either shrinking or growing the number of assets, or swapping these for different models, to get as close to 100% utilisation as possible.

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      Knowing where your assets are also increases their security by significantly lowering the risk of theft or asset loss and improving recovery rates if they are taken. Real-time reporting also ensures that essential maintenance is carried out on time to extend an asset's life and reduce expected downtime.

      Asset tracking also helps identify underperforming assets using precise metrics on how often and how long a piece of equipment runs on a particular day or over a certain period. This provides the opportunity to improve productivity or consider purchasing or designing better equipment.

      Your asset turnover ratio (aka asset utilisation ratio) shows how much revenue your business generates for every dollar invested in total assets. The higher the asset turnover ratio, the more efficient you are at generating revenue from your assets.

      You can calculate this by dividing your total assets by your total revenue.

       Asset Turnover Ratio = Total Revenue / Total Assets

      For example, if your business has revenues of $100,000 and total assets of $50,000, the asset utilisation ratio will be 2:1. $100,000 / $50,000 = 2 (or 2:1).

      That means your operations generate $2 in revenue for every $1 you have invested in assets. Using this information, you can create a benchmark to measure against in subsequent years or use it to compare against benchmarks in your industry.

      How asset tracking can help manage complex construction sites

      Posted on by Oak & Bluebird

      How asset tracking can help manage complex construction sites

      Asset tracking is a GPS-based technology that allows businesses to manage and track their assets in real-time, then store the data in a centralised, cloud-based database so it can be mined for analytics and insights. This can help businesses streamline a wide range of critical activities, including managing vendors, controlling inventory, scheduling maintenance, fulfilling orders, sending requests and distributing work orders via mobile apps.

      How is asset tracking used in construction?

      Being able to manage a large fleet of assets with ease can be extremely useful in the construction industry, where many managers and project coordinators are often on-site and away from their offices. This can minimise unnecessary delays, which is a critical factor when working with large machinery that's expensive to run and maintain and fixed project deadlines.

      The data-driven management of assets such as premises, machinery, vehicles and other equipment can create leaner operations within your business. This is because it gives you the insights you need to right-size your fleet, increase utilisation and head off any inefficiencies throughout your business. By introducing data-driven efficiencies, the use of valuable resources is minimised, which creates greater value for customers while eliminating waste.

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      Reducing Theft

      Despite the size of some of the machinery used within the industry, construction sites aren't immune to theft. Research from Allianz Insurance into plant theft, for example, found that construction sites are increasingly targeted by criminals, including organised gangs. The results suggest plant theft is rising year-on-year, with 428 instances reported to Allianz in 2013, 665 in 2017 and 730 by the end of 2018.

      A survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Building involving senior-level construction workers found that as many as 21% of respondents said they experience theft every week. This widespread loss of assets adds up to $4.3 billion dollars every year, including $298M worth of construction assets, $440M worth of small plant and equipment and $708M worth of vehicles.

      Tracking assets add an extra layer of security and significantly increases the chance of recovering a stolen asset. Geofencing and mobile alerts even let you know when assets leave their assigned site so that you can take immediate action.

      Increasing asset visibility

      Large construction companies frequently have expensive equipment moving from site to site, and asset tracking provides greater visibility of that movement. When you know exactly where your assets are and what they're doing, you're in a better place to maximise their utility and ensure they're providing an adequate return on investment.

      Additionally, the right asset management software also allows managers to deploy and allocate equipment to the right site when needed, together with support for purchase order requisitions and logistics. These systems allow access for multiple users, which means on-site project managers can issue machinery repairs and request equipment to be collected when it's no longer needed - significantly streamlining the process.

      Improving site safety

      Sadly, many construction site workers are killed or injured every year in the course of their work, as reported by Safe Work Australia. In the 5 years from 2009-2013, 182 fatalities and 63,230 serious injuries were reported across the construction industry in Australia. . Safe Work Australia also notes that the most frequent causes of accidental death and injury are a result of slips, trips and falls, vehicle accidents, body stressing, and being hit by moving or falling objects.

      Asset tracking helps prioritise safety and ensures you meet safety compliance and industry regulations. Modern asset tracking solutions include smart safety and compliance features like driver safety monitoring, vehicle health monitoring, in-built digitised checklists and safety checks, and reminders for maintenance. 

      Using these tools along with insightful equipment management also ensures assets receive correct and timely maintenance, which helps prevent many accidents. Data can also track the causes of accidents and provide insights into why they may have occurred, so managers can take action to avoid them in future.

      Real-time insights into tools and equipment lifecycle and costs

      Inaccurate information can lead to shutdowns, slower turnarounds, outages and other delays. The cost of completing a project can quickly escalate with inefficient planning, poor decision making and straying from construction contracts. This can easily impact the reputation of your construction company. With asset tracking and data-based management, it's easier to keep costs and deadlines on track and address minor problems as they occur, before they become major ones.

      Greater asset utilisation, cost reduction and maximising tax rebates are just a few of the many other reasons why your business needs asset tracking. Data-driven management and insights keep you competitive in the industry, and staying connected to your assets ensures the most efficient and effective management. These all combine to boost your bottom line.

      Maximising fuel tax rebates

      Construction companies operating a fleet of vehicles, machinery, plant and industrial equipment are entitled to claim Fuel Tax Credits for the fuel they use. However, many businesses lack the evidence required to claim their full entitlement at the higher FTC rates.

      The standard rate for FTC is 16.5 cents per litre, but with accurate evidence for your claim, you can increase this rate to 42.3 cents per litre for use by all vehicles on private use as well as for auxiliary use.

      You can claim this higher rate when:

      • Vehicles are using fuel on construction and mining sites, shipping ports, worksites, loading docks. These locations all count as private road use and entitle you to the higher FTC rate. 
      • Using fuel to power auxiliary equipment on heavy vehicles, including crane trucks operating the crane function, the mixing barrel of concrete trucks, or the use of computers and other elevation mechanics on vehicles.

      Asset tracking solutions can provide you with the accurate data you need to calculate and substantiate your claim, helping you reduce your operating costs and maximise your tax return. Learn more about maximising your Fuel Tax Credit rebate with asset tracking here.

      Want to access the benefits of asset tracking?

      There are many variables and challenges in the construction industry. Fortunately, the right asset tracking solution can transform your business for the better. With the purpose-built technology on hand, it's never been easier to manage your construction sites. Connect is ready to help you transform your service and asset utilisation.

      Learn more about our Asset Tracking, contact us today.

      How accurate vehicle tracking data will maximise your Fuel Tax Credit rebate

      Posted on by Oak & Bluebird

      How accurate vehicle tracking data will maximise your Fuel Tax Credit rebate

      If your business operates a large fleet of vehicles, machinery, plant and industrial equipment, you'll be well aware of the high cost of the fuel needed to power these assets. You may also know that eligible Australian businesses can claim tax credits for the fuel they use to run their operations.

      However, did you realise that, in many cases, businesses are only claiming the standard rate for fuel tax credits? If this is happening in your business, the good news is that - with a full understanding of how fuel tax credits work, combined with tracking data - your business can maximise its credit claim and legitimately gain bigger tax benefits.

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      What are Fuel Tax Credits and how do they work?

      Fuel Tax Credits (FTC) provide credit to Australian companies for taxes they've paid on fuel when used in machinery, plant equipment and other vehicles. They can be claimed for eligible fuel purchases used in your business, with the credit amount depending on the type of fuel, when it is used and for what activity.

      While the calculations may appear confusing at first, new asset tracking solutions that collect data in real-time help make the process significantly easier. These work by placing sensors on vehicles to track their location and activity, providing the data needed to accurately claim the maximum Fuel Tax Credits that you're eligible for.

      How do I calculate Fuel Tax Credits?

      There are a few steps in calculating your Fuel Tax Credits. The first is understanding how much fuel you've used, then working out the eligible quantity of fuel to claim credits on. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has a calculator that can help you work this out.

      Next, you must check which rates apply for your fuel, determined by when you acquired the fuel. To then calculate the amount of fuel tax credits in dollars, multiply the eligible amount by the correct rate and divide the result by 100.

      What's the difference between private and public roads?

      Businesses can claim a higher tax credit on private roads, as public roads have road user charges to partially cover construction and maintenance, which do not apply to private roads. Accurate reporting of whether your fuel is used on a public or private road can make a difference to your total claimable fuel tax credits.

      Classifications of private roads include the following:

      • Truck stops
      • Vehicle depots
      • Farms
      • Mining sites
      • Quarries
      • Logging sites
      • Construction sites
      • Loading docks
      • Council refuse sites
      • Other roads on private property

      By correctly identifying the amount of fuel used on private roads, you're able to claim an additional 25.8 cents on every eligible litre of fuel your business uses. This means you can claim 16.5 cents per litre while on public roads and up to 42.3 cents on private roads.

      This private road rate of 42.3 cents can also be used for fuel used to power the auxiliary functions of equipment on heavy vehicles, even when the auxiliary usage takes place on a public road. This includes crane trucks operating the crane function, the mixing barrel of a concrete truck or the use of winches, computers and other elevation mechanics on vehicles. The ATO has more information about auxiliary equipment usage here.

      Get access to our free eBook on The Future of Work

      How Connect can maximise your tax rebates

      Our asset tracking solution, Connect, helps you track the movement of any assets that use fuel. This gives you the detailed information you need to accurately calculate and maximise your fuel tax credits.

      1. GPS-verified data

      Connect's GPS tracking devices allow you to capture accurate on-road and off-road travel, fuel consumption, mileage and auxiliary equipment usage. This means you can easily distinguish between public and private road usage for accurate claiming of the maximum fuel tax credits available to your business.

      Importantly, six months' worth of accurate and consistent data also provides acceptable evidence for retrospective fuel credit claims to be made if you've under-claimed fuel tax credits in the previous four years.

      2. Easy reporting

      With real-time GPS tracking, Connect automatically takes detailed data and converts it into simple reporting for accurate fuel tax credit calculations. These insights also provide greater visibility on the fuel usage within your business and significantly reduce admin time and costs. They also offer opportunities to increase fleet efficiency and productivity.

      Reports are securely stored and backed up in real-time, so you have the latest data immediately you need it.

      3. Eliminate estimates and guesswork

      With accurate GPS data, your FTC rebates aren't reliant on guesswork and estimates that could be reducing your claim. With accurate, verifiable data, your business can ensure rebates are maximised and also access previously unclaimed or under-claimed fuel tax credits from the previous four years.

      4. Reduce tax risk

      By submitting accurate data, you can be more confident in your tax credit claims. You can sleep easier knowing your business is reducing the risk of over-claiming and incurring penalties and interest charges. This is because accurate data and fuel use records are verified and securely stored for evidence of your claims.

      Start claiming your FTCs today

      Tax time shouldn't be something to dread. We see it as an opportunity to legitimately claim back what you might have overpaid in fuel taxes over the years. It's never been easier using Connect; it allows you to claim the maximum fuel tax credits with confidence and ease.

      Do you want to maximise your business's fuel tax credits? Talk to our team today to learn more about simplifying your fuel tax credit claims process and maximising your rebate.

      How accurate are GPS trackers?

      Posted on by Oak & Bluebird
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        our telematics & GPS tracking solutions. Our vehicle tracking systems have proven reliability and are optimised for the needs of small- to medium-sized businesses. With fleet tracking systems, you can be confident that the information about your vehicles is accurate and timely, allowing you to make informed decisions in the field when routing your vehicles.

        What is GPS Tracking?

        GPS tracking devices connect to the Global Positioning System and communicate via signals. Multiple things can be tracked via GPS, such as people, vehicles, aeroplanes and plant equipment. The accuracy of GPS tracking is very important. Therefore if the signal is affected and the accuracy isn't a hundred per cent, it can have consequences.

        The accuracy of GPS can be affected by multiple things:

          • Being covered by metal
          • The weather
          • Being in a remote area
          • Time of the day - due to the satellite changing position - they orbit around the globe

         

        What is Assisted GPS (A-GPS)?

        A-GPS is a web-based service that significantly improves the performance of a satellite positioning system. It tells your device exactly which satellites are available in which location.

        Through a data connection, the mobile receiver will contact the server and receive support data only for those visible satellites for that receiver. This will allow you to determine your position in less than 6 seconds. This, in turn, reduces the time to get a good signal from 1 minute to 6 seconds.

        GPS Tracking for Businesses

        Small, medium and large businesses implement tracking systems onto their assets in order to gain more control, increase efficiencies and reduce risk.

        Vehicle Tracking Systems

        For a business, being able to monitor the whereabouts of their vehicles is important. Transport Managers are able to see the location of their fleet on a live map, to be able to make informed decisions, such as: who is closest to a delivery drop and where the traffic is in order to take a different route. Therefore, if the GPS trackers are not 100% accurate in real-time, the business could be in trouble with a lack of control over their vehicles and employees.

        On top of vehicle tracking, companies can invest in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers in order to be in control of who was driving the vehicle, in case of a speeding ticket or mileage records for the tax authorities.

        Plant and Equipment tracking

        Being able to track plant and equipment is effective for businesses with regards to knowing when the assets require servicing and maintenance rather than having to remember off the top of your head when exactly it is. GPS tracking also enables businesses to see the exact amount of usage the assets have in order to ensure accurate invoicing.

        Tool tracking

        Besides, tracking tools are effective for businesses in case they have lost or misplaced their tools. It is also effective for inventory to see where each tool is.

        Conditions That Affect GPS Tracking Accuracy

        GPS uses the frequency of radio signals to determine the location of a device. This means that the GPS device can make these calculations by measuring the time it takes for radio signals to be received from several satellites orbiting the Earth. These satellites transmit signals to each other, and the GPS device can measure these transmissions to calculate the precise location of the device.

        GPS is not dependent on weather conditions, but accuracy may be slightly altered in areas where there isn't a clear line of sight to the sky, such as in big cities, underneath bridges, inside tunnels, or even deep in wooded areas. Some common locations that notoriously experience GPS location inaccuracies are:

          • below high buildings
          • under tree cover
          • near land formations like valleys and mountains
          • inside tunnels
          • inside parking garages

        Ultimately, most GPS tracking devices are accurate to within three meters, allowing users to have fairly accurate location information. While operating in low-accuracy areas can negatively affect your results, GPS tracking technology has evolved to ensure stronger signals and greater accuracy.

        How GPS Tracking Works in Vehicles

        Vehicle tracking systems function by using GPS signals emitted from the device and received by the GPS satellite network. Once the satellites determine the device's position, the information is sent via a cellular network to the cloud server which updates the device location on a map displayed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone so the owner can monitor it.

        GPS tracking has improved in accuracy in recent years because of advanced technology, increased GPS satellites, and better cellular networks.

        GPS Tracking for Business

        With the increased accuracy of GPS vehicle tracking, this technology has many uses in business, helping to increase efficiency and peace-of-mind.

        Asset Management

        Businesses can use GPS trackers to monitor the whereabouts and movement of important assets like expensive equipment that belongs to the company. This allows users to keep tabs on equipment, especially if it's located in vulnerable positions, such as on a construction site. Users can also set up notifications to be sent in the event that the equipment is in motion or relocated, ensuring that the movement can be monitored if it is authorised, or new locations can be identified if the equipment is stolen.

        Fleet Coordination

        GPS tracking technology can be used to help business managers manage the locations of their fleet of vehicles at all times, with fleet tracking. Tracking company vehicles and knowing how fast they travel, which routes they take, how long they remain idle, etc., provides incredibly valuable data to business managers who are looking to improve fleet efficiency and customer service. For example, companies that offer driver and delivery services are able to use this information to dispatch drivers in the area to handle jobs nearest to them, thereby decreasing wait times and improving customer service. Some technology even allows customers themselves to see the location of their service provider.

        Claims Disputes

        Using GPS tracking can also offer an added layer of security for businesses as it can provide the needed evidence for claims disputes. For example, suppose a company vehicle is involved in an altercation, is accused of unauthorised activity, or receives a review from a customer that disagrees with the driver's claim. In that case, GPS tracking data can effectively settle the dispute and provide accurate information for the company, customer, and, in extreme cases, the courts. Having location, speed, and route information provides managers with the evidence they need.

        The precision of GPS (Global Positioning System) refers to the level of distance GPS displays to the actual location of the tracked object. On the list of key points and benefits of a GPS device are its accuracy, precision and reliability. The Global Positioning System (GPS) faults and errors can be decreased to a sufficiently little amount, that the system offers excellent results in business-oriented purposes. For almost any GPS Unit to work the antennae requires a crystal clear look at the sky to connect to the satellites.

        That's why GPS won't work inside buildings. GPS devices calculate your location by analysing the distance between the GPS tracking receiver and at the least four more GPS System satellites. The geostationary satellites broadcast radio impulses to the GPS Tracking devices regularly, allowing the location computations to happen. Initially, GPS started as a military services guidance system; however, over the years, it developed into an advanced navigation and location system. GPS receivers are now considered as consumer electronics and today almost every fleet company utilise GPS tracking devices in their vehicles.

        There are a variety of factors affecting accuracy and reliability regardless of what GPS receiver is being utilised for. The GPS radio signals go through different air and weather conditions while travelling to the Earth. These conditions can often delay the GPS signals and therefore affect the accuracy of a GPS Tracker. The geometry of the geostationary satellites used will likely differ with time as well. The GPS System has a larger selection of satellites available if you are out in the centre of a large field, as opposed to sitting in a cafe in Sydney, Australia. You're going to get much better positions if the geostationary satellites you happen to be linked onto aren't grouped in one part of the sky.

        Therefore, the more sky view you have, the more satellites to link with, and the more precise your GPS Tracking Device is going to be. Cities and metropolitans can also cause glitches on GPS tracking where the GPS Tracking signals can bounce off of the buildings. For vehicle GPS tracking devices, the accuracy has to be sufficient to track the positioning up against the identified map saved in the GPS Tracking platform used.

        The A-GPS receivers on Apple iPhones have progressively enhanced from the iPhone 3 towards iPhone 7 in the past years. A-GPS is probably the most precise of the three GPS programs on your smartphone. A-Gps System functions a little differently compared to typical portable GPS Tracker Device receivers. The cell phone network provides the guidance location. When linked to a cellular network, the mobile phone will download information in regards to the actual locations of satellites.

        This gives the phone to lock in on a location of a satellite a lot more swiftly than it could in any other case. The GPS features of a cell phone can still be utilised if the cell network is inaccessible at that given time. Having said that, when disconnected from a network, your smartphone will require several minutes to establish a link to 4 satellites to determine GPS location.

        The effectiveness of a GPS signal is presented in decibels. By the time the signals have travelled the 22,200km from the GPS satellite to Earth's surface, the sign gets weaker as poor as -125dBm to -130dBm, even during clear open skies. In the city, developed urban environments or below forest cover, the signal can fall to as low as -150dBm. For the signal presentation, the greater the negative value, the less strong the transmission is. At these low levels, some GPS devices may have difficulty in obtaining a working link but might be able to continue GPS tracking if a signal was initially acquired in the open environment. A high-quality and sensitive GPS receiver can acquire signals from satellites down to −155 dBm, and tracking can be carried on down to ranges approaching −165 dBm.

        To determine the distance and location, the GPS System receiver collects data from each and every satellite. The receiver initially calculates the time these GPS signals has taken to reach the device. It does this by subtracting the difference between the time at which the signal was sent; this time is contained in the signal message. Then it calculates the time the signal was acquired, by using an internal time clock. Because the signals travel at the speed of light, even 1-millisecond miscalculation means a 300km inaccuracy of the calculated distance. To reduce this tiny error level, you would need an atomic clock.

        However, not only is this impracticable for consumer GPS tracker products, the GPS System satellites provide signals only about every ten nanoseconds. During this time, a signal would travel 3 meters, which in the total to a significant error. It is for specifically this reason why at the least four GPS satellites are necessary. The extra satellites are utilised to assist correct for the mistakes and glitches. Although hardly ever released to media, the GPS Tracker device receivers must include coded error correction algorithms. In textbooks, one GPS satellite seems to provide the correct location, but in reality, signs must be received from a minimum of 4 satellites in order to accurate for glitches.

        As mentioned previously, usually the more satellites found in determining your position, the higher the level of accuracy, precision and reliability. As the GPS satellites orbit around planet Earth, the number of satellites in line of sight under optimal circumstances naturally varies. The positioning of the satellites is totally out of our hands, yet it's worth identifying this to be an element impacting on precision. For instance, this is one of the many reasons two GPS Device tracks recorded at different times will differ. If you have time, it may be worth documenting a track a second time or even more and calculating the results. A new generation of satellites are being launched, that promise a great increase to not just the accuracy, but also the availability of GPS. Designated as GPS III, a group of 30 new satellites will replace the currently ageing satellites that have been placed in the orbit in the past 40 years.

         

        Accuracy of Smartphones and Navigation Systems vs. GPS Trackers

        Moderns smartphones use a combination of GPS, cell networks, Bluetooth, as well as large databases of WLAN networks to determine location. To get these databases, Google and Apple collect large quantities of user data. Tractive GPS doesn't collect any such user data and only makes use of GPS and cell network signals to locate your pet.

        Automotive navigation systems are optimised for street navigation. Imprecise positions away from roads are corrected automatically to match up with the street map. This leads to more accurate route recordings. Since pets frequently travel away from roads, similar route optimisation isn't possible for pet trackers.

        Smartphones and navigation systems show the GPS positions directly on the built-in display. Pet trackers need to transmit the GPS data to the smartphone of the pet owner before it can be displayed. Because this requires a lot of energy, it can only be done at certain time intervals. As technology continues to develop, users are increasingly able to track devices with accuracy. The technology is expected to continue to improve, providing users with even more peace-of-mind than ever before.

        To learn more about GPS tracking accuracy, we encourage you to check out our bank of GPS tracking learning articles. You can also contact our team directly to ask your questions. We're always here to help!

        Where is the best place to put a GPS asset tracker?

        Posted on by Oak & Bluebird
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          Looking for the best way to secure your assets with GPS tracker?

          GPS tracking devices are now commonly used by consumers for auto-theft security, or to track high-risk drivers such as newly licensed teenagers, senior citizens and companies looking to track their fleet assets. The same location-based technology is also critical in assisting businesses with GPS fleets management applications such as routing, mileage documentation, and job costing. The truth is GPS tracking systems are now frequently called upon for a variety of reasons, leaving some drivers concerned a GPS tracker might be attached to the vehicle they operate.

          That same wonderment also results in the following question being asked: Is it illegal to track someone without their knowledge? First of all, it is highly recommended that anyone who believes they are being tracked illegally to contact the proper law enforcement authorities. Secondly, if a person believes a GPS tracker is on their vehicle, they should start by scanning the automobile and searching for the most popular places GPS tracking devices are placed on cars.

          Whether it's to make sure of your teen driver's safety, to ensure that your spouse is not cheating, or to know where your vehicle is in case it is stolen, you must place your tracking device in an inconspicuous area. Once the person finds out that they're being tracked, your device will be broken, and a family conflict may arise because they will think you don't trust them. To avoid this scenario, you have to know where to hide the GPS tracker on a car.

          How GPS Tracking Works

          GPS, or the global positioning system, is a tool that transmits live location information to your computer or mobile phone. The pieces of information you receive in your cellphone are from the 24 satellites that revolve around the earth. The triangulation method is used in validating the location of the transmitter before the information is sent to you.

          When using the vehicle tracking device, it should be positioned in a way that the antenna can detect satellite signal. The tracking device is the same navigation tool you use in finding location while hiking or driving.

          Things to Consider Before Installing a GPS Tracker

          The most important thing to bear in mind when installing your GPS tracker is signal strength. If it cannot receive an adequate GPS satellite or cellular signal, the device will not work.

          Most GPS signals travel through plastic, fibreglass, foam, wood, and glass, but not all solid materials, so it's usually a good practice to allow your GPS tracker to have a line of sight to the sky. Places like the roof, dashboard, or windscreen are obvious choices, but whether you want your tracker to be visible or not is the real decider. Let's look at the options.

          Where to Hide a GPS Tracker in a Car?

          If you are looking for covert positions, there a few possibilities available:

          The Front Bumper

          While it's certainly true that the front bumper is a less-than-ideal location for a hidden GPS tracking device (as it often houses a great deal of wiring for things like your car's lighting system, the temperature sensor and more), it isn't impossible to install such an item in this location and, as a result, should be one of the first places you check.

          Unfortunately, this also brings with it a bit of bad news - because this area tends to be on the "complicated" side, you probably can't check for a GPS tracking device here yourself. Even if you have the skill necessary to pull such a critical component of your car apart and put it back together again, you likely don't have the equipment needed to do so. Because of that, you're probably going to want to call your trusted mechanic to make sure the job gets done properly.

          Once you do pull apart your front bumper, look for a little black device (or a series of wires) that don't belong. If someone installs a GPS tracking device here, it's probably connected to the power supply on your car - which means that it can transmit for a very long time from nearly any location.

           

          Your Wheel Wells

          Although this is the location that DEA Agent/Brother-in-Law Hank used to track criminal mastermind Walter White on the hit AMC show "Breaking Bad," this is another one of those locations for a hidden GPS tracking device that isn't that popular for a variety of different reasons. For starters, it's very easy to spot something that has been covertly installed in a wheel well - your brakes should be the only thing back there, and anything else will very clearly not belong. Secondly, because this area is located on the outside of your car, there's a lot that could go wrong, and the device itself could easily become damaged or lost.

          Having said that, if you do suspect that you're being tracked without your permission or knowledge, you'll still want to check all four-wheel wells of your vehicle. Get down on your knees, get out your trusty flashlight and be on the lookout for anything resembling a tiny box, a cylinder or something that looks out of place. Again, your brakes should be the ONLY item behind the wheels. Anything else that you find will likely be worth a closer look.

          Your Rear Bumper

          This is a very similar situation to your front bumper and is not the world's best place to install a hidden GPS tracking device for a variety of reasons. Again, your rear bumper houses a lot of important wires for your vehicle's electrical systems - mostly those that handle your lights and the other external sensors that your car's computer uses to help you out while you're driving.

          To complicate matters a bit further, if your car has a rear backup camera (and if it was purchased within the last few years, it probably does), there will be additional cables devoted to that unit in this location as well. Once again, you're likely going to want to call your local mechanic to help you out if you suspect a hidden GPS device may be in your rear bumper.

          If you do decide to proceed on your own, get out your car's instruction manual and take a look at the wiring diagrams. Compare the manual to what you're seeing and look for something that was added after the fact. But do not, under any circumstances, remove any wires unless you're sure you know what they do. Making the wrong move at this stage of the game could result in a car that you won't be able to use for quite a while.

          Your Dashboard

          This is one of those places that presents something of a mixed bag for people who are trying to track your every move. On the one hand, hiding a GPS tracking device under someone's dashboard is tricky because you need physical access to the inside of the car in order to do it. Once you've got that taken care of, however, it's the perfect location for such a hidden device because:

            1. It's already filled with so many different wires and components that it can be hard to keep track of it all

           

            1. People rarely take a closer look at this part of their car in the first place

           

          In order to be sure that nobody has installed a hidden GPS tracking device in this area, remember the fact that all of the wires you see should be tied together in groups. If you see a wire or cable that is completely separate from everything else, doesn't match the existing colour scheme of all the other wires or looks like it doesn't belong, you may be onto something worth a closer look.

          Your Glove Compartment and More

          If you're the type of person who often forgets that you even have a glove compartment in the first place, you may be looking at one of the most common places that a GPS tracking device might be hidden on your car. Again, this is a tricky one because it requires physical access to the vehicle's interior, but provided that someone can achieve that, they can hide a GPS device easily without you noticing. Take a look inside your glove compartment or any other storage area within your vehicle. Look for small devices that almost look like television remote controls and be very wary of any component that you can't remember placing yourself.

          Other Common Locations

          Suppose yours is the type of car that has a sunroof, a moonroof or is a convertible of some type. In that case, unfortunately, it also offers a wide range of additional places to hide a GPS tracking device potentially. Remove any and all covers that are designed to protect these areas and take a look around for strange wires. While you're at it, be sure to check under your car's carpets, beneath the floor mats, under and in between your seats, and in similar areas.

          On the exterior car, be sure to examine your vehicle's undercarriage closely. Use a flashlight to peer into ALL inaccessible areas of your car's frame. As you do so, remember that a GPS tracking device probably won't be able to transmit data (at least not in any reliable way) if thick metals cover it. The antenna needs a clear, unobstructed way to send and receive computer signals. Thankfully, this means that you can write off certain areas right away. Any GPS device hidden on the undercarriage of your car will probably need to be near the edges, so look there first.

          How Can A Fleet Management Company Benefit From Using GPS Tracking?

          In the long run, the survival of a fleet management company is decided by its level of productivity. You can end up losing large money in any case your employees are not working during their allotted working hours.

          When you install GPS devices for tracking on the fleet of your vehicles, you can find out who is really contributing his working hours to work and who are simply wasting time regularly. This update on the motions of work helps you decide the perks, wages and other advantages that you offer to the employees.

          Save Money With Vehicle GPS Tracking

          When you track employees on a regular basis, it becomes easier to find out the most productive one. You can notify the employees that all the vehicles are on GPS tracker, which will indirectly pressurize them to elevate their overall performance and contribution to work. It is an established fact that employees work with 100% focus when they are being observed or judged by their superiors. It directly increases your level of production and with just small investment in tracking device; your profit is automatically increased.

          Improvement In Work Culture

          Drivers tend to have a lot of habits that can affect the level of productivity and work culture in a company. By installing the GPS tracker, you indirectly put these employees on radar due to which they are forced to keep aside their time-wasting habits and completely focus on work. Drivers drive more carefully when they are being monitored. Similarly, the employees rarely think of taking an alternate route or drive on random routes when they are aware of being tracked. This helps to save gas.

          Significant Rise In Team Spirit & Commitment

          By using a GPS tracking device to track vehicles, companies can witness a significant rise in the team spirit as everyone now is working towards only one goal, and that is to give their 100%.

          Thus just one decision to install a GPS tracker in your vehicle can ensure that you not only save on the overall expenses but can motivate your entire team to work more with dedication and commitment. So, there are multiple ways in which you can cleverly set up a GPS tracking device in your car without anyone noticing it and ensure optimum productivity and maximize the profits.

          How to Choose a GPS Device For You Fleet Asset

          Before you buy a GPS device to use for covert tracking, consider the following:

          • Choose a small GPS tracker (a standard Trackimo device measures 39 × 47 × 15 mm), with a colour that will easily blend with the car. The purpose of this is so the driver or passenger can't easily notice it.

          • Look for a GPS unit that is motion-sensitive. This feature is an energy saver because the tracker is only active if the vehicle is moving.

          • Look for a GPS tracker with the longest battery life. The average battery life of most tracking devices lasts 15 hours before it needs recharging. Some devices are able to last for up to 96 hours, depending on how you use it.

          • A tracking device with a magnetic cover is a great choice because it fastens firmly to the vehicle's metal part. You won't worry about it falling off.

          The Importance of Battery Life of a GPS Device

          You must purchase a GPS device with long battery life because the transmission of location information can only continue while the device is turned on. But sometimes, it's the way you use the device that affects the longevity of the tracking device.

          These are some of the factors that can drain a GPS device's battery:

          • Size. The bigger the device is, the longer the battery life.

          • Constant location updates. If you keep requesting the location every 5 or 10 minutes, that will burn your device's power faster than normal. Set up your device so that it has a 20- or 30-minute interval of data transmission to avoid losing power.

          • Motion sensor turned off. Make sure that this feature is activated to avoid using battery power when not necessary.

          Need help finding the right GPS device for your business vehicles? Talk to our experts!

          Things to remember

          When putting the device on the undercarriage of the car, place it near the edge so the antenna can still get satellite signal. In this case, the antenna is normally pointing downward. When concealing the GPS tracker inside or under the front dashboard, see to it that it can still transmit its location correctly because the signal from the satellite radio may hinder your device's transmission.

          And when you hide GPS tracker on a car, make sure you don't place it near where the driver usually puts their GPS-equipped device like their cellular phone. The GPS signals of two devices could crash and corrupt the data, or worse, and the driver may discover your tracker.

          Do not hide your tracking device in hot places like the front grill of the car bumper because it might melt, dissolve, or break down. Also placing the tracker under the hood is not an ideal place because the temperature inside can also damage the device's fragile electrical components. Aside from this, this spot gets a weak GPS signal.

          In between seats is yet another unadvisable place to hide your tracking device because it's the first place people check to look for their missing items. There is also a possibility that the hidden car tracker will be found when the car is at the car wash for cleaning.

          Making Your Choice

          When selecting the placement of your GPS tracker, you have to consider both visibility and signal strength. If covertness is not your primary goal, then you have a lot more options. Whatever you decide, make sure your tracker is secure, safe, and able to detect a GPS signal.

          Are you interested in supercharging the security of your vehicle? In addition to tracking its location, you can also track what happens in and around your vehicle with a handy, easy-to-use car camera. Some of these devices also offer GPS tracking, giving you an all-in-one tool for vehicle security. If you have questions about the products and services offered by Brick House Security, or how to install a GPS tracker in a car, we can help you! We invite you to contact our team of experts so we can help you make the best decision for your security.